ZSL London Zoo

We've visited London Zoo tons of times and every time its even better. I always make sure I get our tickets online as there is always a queue.

All entrances and exits are accessible and all the buildings are except the old elephant house which houses the Pygmy Hippopotamus as there are steps to view the hippo inside though there is a ramped access into the actual building from one side which is quite steep.

We always have a great day at the zoo. Tigers are Dudes favourite and I love the Rainforest exhibition. The Bug House can be a bit hard to get round when there's lots of people as the walk ways are sloped and trying to stop or push up hill/stop the chair rolling away down hill and view bugs whilst trying not to run people over can be... an adventure. The walk ways are wide enough but when its busy and you have a wheelchair it can be a bit cramped.

The new Penguin Beach is excellent.

The Aquarium now has level access at the side and theres more than enough space to get around. Gorilla Kingdom is fantastic too though I do think they should have a little kids/wheelchair/buggy user friendly zone as the adults cram round the windows so those with disadvantaged height can't see them. The walkways through Gorilla Kingdom are good. The Butterfly exhibition is lovely and colourful but i did find the chains hanging at the doors (to stop the butterflies escaping) tangled round the wheelchair and both entering and exiting was only managed with several members of the public holding chains back and untangling them from the chair as we went through.

There is one area I really dislike and that is the children's Animal Adventure area. There are playthings for the children here and NONE are accessible to disabled children. Its very disappointing especially as its fairly new to the zoo. Dude cant really view many of the animals in this area either and was very disappointed and upset when he saw children crawling through the tunnels to see the Meercats and he couldn't. I think there should have been a bigger tunnel into the area so wheelchairs/children unable to crawl for any reason can still join in the fun.

There are lots of benches around the zoo for resting but I often find them full which is now the reason I carry a folding camping stool. There are no accessible picnic tables. There is a restaurant that I have seen wheelchairs at tables in but I have never used the restaurant as I find everything very expensive.

There are disabled toilets but none with hoists or changing benches. I have raised this issue with London Zoo and I have been told they will think about it.

Every year they have a Special Children's day where there are changing tents and additional disabled toilets.

For more information on Special Children' day check here.

Exit is now via the shop which makes it slightly harder to get out as you now have to negotiate shelves and people before your final bid for freedom.

Although there are a few disappointments/problems at London Zoo its still very hard not to have a great day and its forever improving. We love the zoo and hope to visit again really soon.